EncourÂage kids to be creÂative withÂout worÂryÂing about being perfect.
—Dav Pilkey
At the start of the fall proÂgram seaÂson, I asked our youngest patrons what proÂgrams they would like the library to offer. I heard a child yell out, “DOGMAN”! I smiled and I told him that was a great idea. DogÂman© is a graphÂic novÂel series writÂten and illusÂtratÂed by Dav Pilkey that tells the stoÂry of George and Harold’s newÂly creÂatÂed hero of jusÂtice. DogÂman© is part dog, part man, sniffÂing out crime to save the world. The series is hilarÂiÂous and it helps readÂers learn the imporÂtance of empaÂthy and havÂing conÂfiÂdence. We launched our first DogÂman© proÂgram on WednesÂday, SepÂtemÂber 4, 2019. The folÂlowÂing proÂvides the objecÂtive and steps you can take to creÂate your own program.

ProÂgram ObjecÂtive: Our DogÂman© proÂgram proÂvides chilÂdren the opporÂtuÂniÂty to read the stoÂry aloud with othÂer fans and to design and creÂate their own graphÂic novÂel based on the series. CurÂrentÂly, the proÂgram occurs once a month and lasts between 1 to 1.5 hrs. It is geared for chilÂdren in grades 2 to 4, but we welÂcome all DogÂman© fans and those who are interested.
SupÂplies: DogÂman© books, comÂputÂers, markÂers, penÂcils, pens, LEGO© bricks, and plain paper.
Steps:
- Read Aloud: At the start of the proÂgram, have chilÂdren read aloud to the group from one of the DogÂman© titles. Let them know that if they strugÂgle with a word to ask for assisÂtance.
- BrainÂstorm: EncourÂage the chilÂdren to use Pilkey’s stoÂries as inspiÂraÂtion for their stoÂry. DurÂing this step, chilÂdren will develÂop their charÂacÂters, choose a plot and setÂting. They can expand on one of Pilkey’s stoÂries or creÂate an entireÂly new stoÂry. They can draw or sketch their ideas. I proÂvide LEGO© bricks as an option if they want to creÂate 3D modÂels. It is imporÂtant to let chilÂdren know that perÂfecÂtion is not the key. EncourÂage them to have fun and explore their imagination.
- LEGO© StoÂrySÂtarter: LEGO© StoÂrySÂtarter is part of LEGO© EduÂcaÂtion, proÂvidÂing a variÂety of creÂative writÂing temÂplates for chilÂdren to creÂate, docÂuÂment, and share their stoÂries. It is a free downÂload. After the brainÂstormÂing stage, chilÂdren will use the StoÂrySÂtarter proÂgram to forÂmat their stoÂry and use LEGOs©, their drawÂings, or a free image webÂsite such as PixÂaÂby for charÂacÂters and scenes. They can upload everyÂthing to StoÂrySÂtarter and everyÂthing can be saved to a deskÂtop or flash driÂve. View this video for more inforÂmaÂtion: LEGO EduÂcaÂtion StoÂrySÂtarter BuildÂing the StoÂry.
- Print and Share: At the comÂpleÂtion of this proÂgram, print the stoÂries off and have chilÂdren share them with the group. I plan to creÂate a comÂmuÂniÂty open-house where their stoÂries can be on disÂplay for the pubÂlic to read and enjoy.
ArtiÂcles SupÂportÂing the ImporÂtance of GraphÂic Novels:
- 5 Great ReaÂsons to Read GraphÂic NovÂels from PlayÂful Learning
- The Research Behind GraphÂic NovÂels and Young LearnÂers by Leslie Morrison
- The Case for GraphÂic NovÂels in EduÂcaÂtion by AmerÂiÂcan Library Association
- In Defense of GraphÂic NovÂels by Dr. Kathryn Strong Hansen
Mr. Z’s GraphÂic NovÂel Top Picks:
- DogÂman by Dav Pilkey
- Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
- PerÂcy JackÂson series by Rick Riordan
- Smile by Raina Telgemeier
- El Deafo by Cece Bell
- Bone by Jeff Smith
- CoraÂline by Neil Gaiman
- Sand WarÂrior by AlexÂis Siegel
- Lunch Lady by JarÂrett Krosoczka
- Roller Girl by VicÂtoÂria Jamieson
Books to GenÂerÂate Ideas: